05-30-2021 – “Jesus Appears to Saul”

Bible Text: Acts 9:1-22 | Speaker: Pastor Mike Hale |

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05-30-2021

“Jesus Appears to Saul”
Acts 9:1-22
 

Before Nancy and I went on vacation I taught for 4 weeks on the resurrection appearances of Christ. There is still one post resurrection appearance that we have not studied together; it took place after Christ’s ascension back into heaven, and it was to the Apostle Paul.

Paul’s inspired writings form the basis for most of the New Testament instruction to the Church. Paul’s birth name was Saul [Hebrew], but we know him better by the name Paul [Roman], for he was to be Christ’s witness to the Gentiles.

Paul was a Jew (Philippians 3:5-11),
“circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless,”

(Acts 22:3),
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city [Jerusalem], educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.”

Paul was also a Roman citizen. Once when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and about to be flogged, he said to the centurion

(Acts 22:25-29),
“‘Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman [and has not been lawfully condemned]?’ When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, ‘What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.’ The commander came and said to him, ‘Tell me, are you a Roman?’ And [Paul] said, ‘Yes.’ The commander answered, ‘I acquired my citizenship with a large sum of money.’ And Paul said, ‘But I was actually born a citizen.’

“Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.”

See 1Corinthians 15:8-9…
Paul says, “and last of all He (Jesus) appeared to me also, as to one untimely [abnormally] born.”

All the others to whom the Lord had appeared, had seen Him while he was alive and after He had died and risen from the grave. But Paul had not seen Jesus during the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, instead, the Lord appeared to Paul long after the Lord had ascended back into heaven.

No wonder Paul felt like one abnormally born, the other apostles had lived and walked with Jesus for three years, being taught by Him; whereas Paul had not only rejected Him as the Messiah, he had persecuted His followers, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

After his conversion, Paul was taught by the Lord (Galatians 1:11-12),

Galatians 1:11-12
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:16-18
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.

Paul was fully convinced of his apostleship and also of the grace and forgiveness given him by God. All twelve apostles (the original eleven + Matthias, who took Judas’ place) were commissioned within the territory of Israel, to minister to the Jews; but Paul was commissioned outside of Israel and ministered mostly to Gentiles [non-Jews].

Paul labored more than any of the apostles and yet, he only boasts about God’s marvelous gift of grace (See 2Corinthians 11:12-12:12).

2Corinthians 11:12-33
12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.
20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.
But in whatever respect anyone else is bold–I speak in foolishness–I am just as bold myself.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ?–I speak as if insane–I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,
33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

2Corinthians 12:1-12
1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago–whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows–such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know how such a man–whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows–
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

Paul could do nothing apart from Christ working in and through him to accomplish the works of God (See Ephesians 2:8-10; 3:8-21).

Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 3:8-21
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

It was the resurrected Christ who changed Paul by saving him, personally instructing him, and empowering him to serve on God’s behalf. Prior to that time Paul had been an enemy of God and God’s people; he was now a bond slave of God and a servant to God’s people.

Paul had persecuted the Followers of Christ before his conversion on the road to Damascus; after he confessed Jesus as Lord, he became the most outspoken witness for the Christian faith apart from Jesus Christ. The same people he was previously hunting down and putting in jail, he is now calling his brothers and sisters in Christ.

No wonder Paul felt like one abnormally born, the other apostles had lived with Jesus for three years, being taught by Him; whereas Paul had rejected Him as the Messiah, and had even persecuted His followers.

And yet Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, several years after He had ascended back into heaven, (See Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-11; 26:1-18).

Acts 9:1-9
1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 22:6-11
6 “But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,
7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
9 And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’
11 But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

Acts 26:1-18
1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today;
3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
6 And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;
7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.
8 Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?
9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Did Saul actually see the Lord that day?

1Corinthians 9:1
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

Did Saul actually hear the Lord?

Acts 22:14-15
14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth.
15 For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Note: The Greek word translated voice is phone [fo nay], it means sound or speech. Its most common use in the Bible is for the voice of God, humans, and angels, but it is also used for sounds in general (John 3:8),

John 3:8
8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Revelation 1:10
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,

On another note, probably some of you are wondering what it means

(Acts 26:14),
“to kick against the goads.”

A goad [noun] is a spiked stick used for driving cattle;

the verb form use of this word, to goad someone, means to provoke or to stimulate someone to action or to get a reaction.

Jesus is telling Saul he has been going against God Himself by going after these followers of the Way, the believers of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord, the Savior, God the Son.

Paul went from being the most aggressive persecutor of the Church of God to becoming the most aggressive proponent and proclaimer of God’s Message: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Lord and Savior.

Jesus provided many demonstrable proofs and convincing evidence of His resurrection: He appeared to a great number of people, as recorded in the Scriptures. Luke writes, (Acts 1:3),

Acts 1:3
3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

John writes (John 20:31),
31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

There are many examples of infallible evidence:
Almost 2,000 years of testimony in and through the Church of God.…
The evidence of billions of individual changed lives since Pentecost…

But the real proof of the power of Christ’s death and resurrection is in your life, God’s Spirit confirming your birth into the family of God and your transformation as you are conformed to the character and nature of Christ, in obedience to the God’s Word, to the glory of the Father.

Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:19-20
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

2Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

We often talk about what the death and resurrection of Christ means for eternity to those who believe in Him; but what difference does it make to you right now?

Here are some Scriptures that answer that question:

Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation–having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

1Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1Corinthians 12:13
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

2Corinthians 13:5
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?

2Corinthians 4:4
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2Corinthians 4:6
6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day (of His Return) drawing near.

The Apostle Paul, like all true believers and followers of Jesus Christ, was spiritually dead in his sins and trespasses before confessing Christ as Lord and trusting Him as Savior.

Having been born-again by the Spirit of God, made effectual through the death and resurrection of God’s Son, we have the propensity to live in a manner that exemplifies the character and nature of God,

so that unbelievers might see Christ in us and respond to Him, as we proclaim what the Scriptures teach about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Lord and Savior: crucified, resurrected, and coming again.

Pastor Mike Hale
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